Fushimi Inari-taisha

Temple Kyoto, Japan

It is the main shrine dedicated to the kami Inari, located in Fushimi-ku, Kyoto . The shrine is located at the base of a mountain called Inari. Inari has always been seen as the patron of business for both traders and artisans, he is also considered the god of rice.

The shrine sits at the base of a mountain also named Inari which is 233 metres (764 ft) above sea level, and includes trails up the mountain to many smaller shrines which span 4 kilometres (2.5 mi) and take approximately 2 hours to walk up. First and foremost, Inari is the god of rice, but merchants and manufacturers have traditionally worshiped Inari as the patron of business. Each of the torii at Fushimi Inari Taisha has been donated by a Japanese business. This popular shrine is said to have as many as 32,000 sub-shrines (bunsha (分社)) throughout Japan.